US oil settles down 3.1%, at $51.41 a barrel

Oil prices fell on Wednesday on expectations increased exports from Iran will add to a global supply glut and on rising inventories at the delivery hub at Cushing, Oklahoma.

Tuesday's agreement on Tehran's nuclear program between six world powers and Iran is expected to result in the lifting of sanctions in early 2016 which have limited sales of Iranian oil for several years.

U.S. crude closed down $1.63, or 3.1 percent, at $51.41 a barrel. That was the lowest settlement since April 9. Brent crude was down $1.40 at $57.10 a barrel, having swung from $57.29 to $58.81. The August contract expires on Thursday.

Oil prices slumped even though U.S. crude stocks fell 4.3 million barrels last week, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), as refiners boosted throughput to a record level.

While the inventory slide was more than analysts' expectations for a decrease of 1.2 million barrels, the drop was less than the 7.3 million-barrel decline reported on Tuesday by the industry group American Petroleum Institute (API).

Iran's oil production could increase by 500,000-600,000 barrels per day (bpd) and could reach its pre-sanctions level of 4 million bpd within six to 12 months if there is enough demand, Roknoldin Javadi, National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) managing director told Iran's Shargh newspaper.

Most analysts agree that first Iranian oil exports could enter the global market in early 2016, but estimated additional volumes vary between 300,000 and 700,000 bpd.

Traders are also watching China, which has seen slowing growth. China on Wednesday reported second-quarter growth at an annual rate of 7 percent, steady to the previous quarter.

French bank Natixis said there was a risk of oil prices falling further if China's economy slows while global oil production stays close to record highs.